Standard - Geography

Benchmark -3 & 5

Indicator - 3 & 1-4

Grade Level- 6-8

As a result of this activity all students will use a working knowledge and understanding of the spatial organization of Earth's surface and relationships among people, places, and physical and human environments in order to explain the interactions that occur in our interconnected world.

Performance Task

For background knowledge, study tallgrass prairie flowers and grasses. Research Tallgrass Prairies and compare the acres of existing prairies to the once vast prairies of the 1800's. Write a research paper explaining what human, and physical factors have contributed to the depletion of the prairies. Students may also make recommendations for restoration of the prairies.

Knowledge Skills

Research tallgrass prairies. Analyze physical changes that have occurred in the prairies since the 1800's. Identify factors contributing to the depletion of the prairies. Write, edit, & revise a research paper. Transfer of knowledge for renewal of the prairie as a natural resource.

Scoring Guide

4 The student completes the tasks independently. The paper is formatted in correct form. It is written in complete sentences with spelling, grammar, and mechanics 100 percent correct. Content is informative and correct. 3 The student needed some help to complete the task. The paper is formatted in correct form. It is written in complete sentences, but there are errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics, which interfere with understanding the text. Not all content is correct. 2 The student completes the task with difficulty. The paper is not formatted in correct form. Sentences are complete, but not cohesive. The number of errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanic interfere with understanding. Content has some inconsistencies or inaccuracies. 1 The task is incomplete. The student does not understand the task. The paper is not in correct form. There are incomplete sentences and errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics. There are content errors.